"H" marked heavy buffer vs regular buffer in AR pistol

[Exposed]

My AR pistol is short stroking. The bolt does not stay open after the last round is fired and sometimes it wont chamber a round when firing. I checked my gas key, gas block and gas tube and I have not found a gas leak anywhere. However, I run a heavy "H" marked buffer. I have heard that in ARs with barrels shorter than 11.5 inches its a good idea to run heavy buffers. My AR pistol runs an 8.5 inch barrel. However, I have also heard that heavy buffers can cause short stroking. So which is it? Should I keep looking to see if the short stroking is caused by a gas leak I have not found yet, or should I try a regular buffer and remove the heavy buffer? Suggestions?

[technique]

Try a regular buffer and lighter spring. Or a combination of...

[Exposed]

Try a regular buffer and lighter spring. Or a combination of...

Yup, thats what I was planning, however, I had "heard" regular buffers are not healthy for shorter barreled ARs. Not sure if this is fud or not.

[technique]

Have you tried heavier ammo?

Mine liked heavy 69-77gr. ammo...didn't cycle the 55gr stuff well.
Do whatever you need to do to get it to cycle. Things aren't always textbook.
Maybe just a spring will do the trick.

[Exposed]

Have you tried heavier ammo?

Mine liked heavy 69-77gr. ammo...didn't cycle the 55gr stuff well.
Do whatever you need to do to get it to cycle. Things aren't always textbook.
Maybe just a spring will do the trick.

Thank you sir. I will try this out.

[Gio]

Or you can get a Noveske KX-3, technique knows all about those

-Gio

[Exposed]

Or you can get a Noveske KX-3, technique knows all about those

-Gio

I have actually wanted one. I have wanted to get the one with the Fire Breathing Pig on it. But what does a flash hider have to do with short stroking? Does a flsh hider have any real impact on the way the gun works? I thought it was simply to hide the flash from the shot fired?

[Gio]

It creates certain back pressure needed with barrels under 10" that is why I said technique knows about them. Let's see if he chimes in on this or I will find his post about them

-Gio

[badicedog]

its not just a FH. It has an internal chamber for extra backpressure that short bbl AR pistols need. You can also try PWS diablo FH.

[Exposed]

Damn! Looks like a perfect excuse for me to buy an expensive flash hider I have wanted for a little while now!

[Gio]

Damn! Looks like a perfect excuse for me to buy an expensive flash hider I have wanted for a little while now!

I like the way you think

-Gio

[aplinker]

The KX3 is like adding 0.25" of barrel - it doesn't really make that much difference.

What ammo are you using?

I would switch buffers 1st.

[Exposed]

The KX3 is like adding 0.25" of barrel - it doesn't really make that much difference.

What ammo are you using?

I would switch buffers 1st.

This last time I went out I used PMC Bronze .223 55gr.

[aplinker]

This last time I went out I used PMC Bronze .223 55gr.

PMC is about as weak as it comes. If you plan on running it consistently, definitely get a lighter buffer.

Heavier ammo, even XM193, would likely be enough for you.

[Exposed]

PMC is about as weak as it comes. If you plan on running it consistently, definitely get a lighter buffer.

Heavier ammo, even XM193, would likely be enough for you.

Thanks for that info.